The reskinning of Doki Doki Panic as Mario 2 accidentally established some parameters for divergent game sequels

Turnips, clouds, Birdos, magic doors. The noise introduced by the original game's surrealist/orientalist theme ungrounded the franchise permanently, and the airy images fit the new character abilities: Luigi's horrible flutter jump and Peach's powerful air control

Oddly paced in its introduction of new elements and repetition of old ones, but its moments of challenge are fun to work through (e.g. Spark platforming section in the final level), and it finishes strong with the veggie-lobbing dream machine spat with Wart, which feels like a fitting endpoint to the game's emphasis on avoidance and tossing